POINTS TO PONDER

The Lost Boys

"It would have been funny, if it had not been a matter of grave national concern, that the state doesn't seem to know where the Ratwatte brothers are," one Sri Lankan media report reflected after the former Minister of Power and Energy said he was ready to turn in his sons who are wanted in connection with the election day killing of ten SLMC supporters in Udathalawinna in Kandy. Speculating as to the whereabouts of the elusive brothers has become a national talking point. "It has become a national pastime to guess where the Ratwatte brothers could possibly be." The press, however, have ruled out the possibility that the brothers have "holed up like Osama bin Laden in some cave in the Kandy or Uthuvankanda hills."

Festivities Run Amok

Fun-loving Sri Lankans like nothing less than seeing through the festive season with a bang, but judging by recent reports it appears some revelers have taken that a little too lieterally. One recent headline, 'Bottle & crackers sent hundreds to hospital,' tells one particularly sorry yuletide tale of woe where at least seven people were killed and 350 injured during Christmas through excessive alcohol consumption, road accidents and crackers. "Police said the number of persons injured this year had increased dramatically compared to last year." It appears the Christmas spirit goes to quickly to the head.

If The Shoe Fits.

Sri Lanka's frequent-flyers are not a happy bunch, especially given erroneous reports claiming that the would-be 'shoe' bomber of an aircraft headed for Florida was originally a Sri Lank-an. "It seems Sri Lankan travel credentials are now going a notch further down," one report said. "Most Sri Lankan travelers will tell you that getting into Europe - or America - is an ordeal sometimes, as immigration authorities will "detain" Sri Lankans longer than most others - that is, if they do not harass them in any more rigorous way."

Tiger Welcome

Golfing prodigy Tiger Woods may be wowing Sri Lankan sports fans, judging by the country's bid to encourage golf tourism. "We see a huge potential for golf tourism in Sri Lanka," said Vasantha Leelananda, general manager of Walkers Tours, a travel agency that has been avidly promoting the sector. However, Tiger had better be warned -his reputation as an international sports star may not always proceed him, especially with a name like that.

Switched On

In what could be a possible about-turn, the Ceylon Electricity Board may not implement three-to-four-hour power cuts in the New Year due to what The Sunday Times described as "a little more rain and a lot of new thinking." It appears that the government would prefer to bite the bullet and fork out funds on thermal power as opposed to the unpopular black-outs, or 'load-shedding' as its euphemistically called. Analysts, however, believe this still doesn't address the long term solutions - rampant corruption in the CEB and a heavy dependence on hydro power.

Bring Your Own

Cost-cutting on Sri Lanka's favorite airline just took a turn for the worse. As a further measure to save the pennies, the national carrier would not be serving bread rolls, butter and mineral water on certain flights. In-flight meals, with their bite-sized proportions, are typically insufficient to satisfy the appetite of the proverbial fly. What next? Will this be a death of hundred cuts where each item on the menu slowly disappears in line with the airline's fortunes until the hapless passengers are left with only complimentary roasted peanuts? We wonder whether such austerity measures will extend past the aisle curtain to the passengers ensconced in the relative luxury of First Class. A smaller serving of foie gras, perhaps?